Monday, May 16, 2016

Could This Be What's Holding Things Up?

Hello everyone and welcome back to the struggles of opening a small business. Throughout this ordeal I have learned many things and dealt with many issues that seem almost endless. There was always a light at the end of the tunnel that motivated me and kept me positive during this entire situation. About 2 months ago I felt like this long grind was finally coming to an end as my architect was making progress and the City Building Commission was working with us to get things finalized. I was dealt issue after issue and just did my best to comply with all their requests to avoid any more delays. I was told I had to move the front entrance, change restroom layouts, and keep everything handicap accessible on top of that. After complying to all those requests I was even dealt what seemed to be a finishing blow...... After working on plans and fighting for every inch, I was told that the building was an "Earthquake Hazard." The worst of all this is that if I was told this back in September I would have honestly just given up. I literally spent over 6 months of going back and forth with the city making corrections and adjusting plans before they dropped this bomb on me. But, somehow this issue was rectified and we pushed forward. Now that we have everything almost done again......... dun dun dun dun.......

I come to find out that the city is having plans to build some type of Family Entertainment Center. You can check the details here : http://azusafamilyfun.com/ I have kept quiet for the most part and tried to refrain from speaking publicly about any issues I have already handled just to try and keep the calm. I didn't want to endanger my business any more and I definitely didn't want to offend anyone in the city that had the power to delay my opening any further. Then I receive a call from a friend that resides in Azusa and was made aware of this project that is being presented to the city. Under normal circumstances, I would just brush this off. But as it stands, the proposed location for this place is literally right across the street from where I'm currently leasing a building for Super Arcade. I went through hell to get a business permit, I attended 2 public hearings, and I fought tooth and nail to prove to the city that our community would bring positives to Azusa. I had to endure complaints that "Arcade Culture" is dangerous, and that people who attended the arcade were "hoodlums" and would bring down the neighborhood. I was told my patrons would "pee on the walls" of the city if they allowed an arcade there. I was told men would "gawk at women and make them uncomfortable" if they brought in an arcade to this city. And this is why I am so adamant about this new situation and project.

Could this be the real reason all my efforts have been delayed? Could this be the reason I have been thrown so many issues that try to deter my efforts of opening shop in Azusa? Don't want to be some kind of tin foil hat conspiracy theorist here, but if this goes through, and it might just be the case...... There is a Public Hearing for this project at 7:30pm on 5/16/16 in the Azusa Civic Auditorium located at 213 East Foothill Blvd. This will be streamed and you can view it here at : http://www.ci.azusa.ca.us//952/Watch-Meetings-Online

I will be in attendance and if you are local to the area, feel free to join me. Thank you for reading and talk to you all again real soon.